From the Battlefield to the Firehouse: Joshua Chiarini Teaches the Power of Preparedness

For U.S. Navy veteran Joshua Chiarini, the importance of controlling severe bleeding is something he learned firsthand.

During his service in Iraq, Chiarini saw how quickly a medical emergency could become a matter of life or death. Today, as a firefighter, EMT and licensed STOP THE BLEED^® Instructor, he uses those experiences to teach others that lifesaving action does not always have to come from a medical professional.

Sometimes, it starts with a prepared bystander.

Chiarini became a STOP THE BLEED^® Instructor because he had seen firsthand how quickly lives can be lost, and how quickly they can be saved, with the right knowledge and mindset.

“As a combat veteran and firefighter, I’ve worked in some of the most high-pressure environments, and what’s clear across every scene is that time matters,” Chiarini said.

Turning Experience Into Action

STOP THE BLEED^® is an official program of the Department of War, built on lessons the department learned during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan about controlling severe bleeding. The program teaches members of the public how they can provide immediate assistance to someone experiencing life-threatening bleeding while waiting for professional responders.

For Chiarini, the message is simple: preparation gives people the ability to act when seconds count.

“Teaching STOP THE BLEED^® allows me to give that power to the public—students, teachers, parents, first responders—anyone,” he said.

That broad audience is central to Chiarini’s approach. You do not have to be a combat medic, firefighter or healthcare professional to make a lifesaving difference. With training, ordinary people can become capable responders in the critical moments before emergency medical services arrive.

From Panic to Purpose

Emergencies can be overwhelming. People may freeze because they do not know what to do or are afraid of making a mistake.

Chiarini believes STOP THE BLEED^® training can help change that response.

“It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being prepared,” he said. “STOP THE BLEED^® turns panic into purpose and bystanders into lifesavers.”

The training reflects a lesson that Chiarini has encountered throughout his military and emergency-response careers: time matters.

In a serious bleeding emergency, the person closest to the injured individual may be the first, and sometimes the only, person able to provide assistance before professional responders arrive. Knowing what to do can give that person the confidence to take action.

A Veteran’s Continued Service

For Chiarini, becoming a STOP THE BLEED^® Instructor is another way to serve.

His journey from the Navy to Iraq, the firehouse and the classroom illustrates how veterans can carry the lessons of military service into their communities. The skills and experiences gained through service can continue to have an impact long after a veteran leaves uniform.

By teaching STOP THE BLEED^®, Chiarini is helping people across his community understand that lifesaving preparedness is not reserved for professionals.

It belongs to everyone.

Take a STOP THE BLEED^® Class

Severe bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes. STOP THE BLEED^® training gives people the knowledge and confidence to take action when it matters most.

Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, first responder or simply someone who wants to be prepared, learning how to respond to life-threatening bleeding can help you become part of the lifesaving chain.

Learn more about STOP THE BLEED^® training and how you can get involved through the Department of War STOP THE BLEED^® program.